Integrated-grating-induced control of second-harmonic beams in frequency-doubling crystals

We report a novel type of integrated nonlinear photonic device for controlling the generation of several second-harmonic beams. Two-dimensional diffraction gratings are recorded with femtosecond laser pulses at the entrance surface of a frequency-doubling crystal. This periodic spatial modulation of the material surface induces noncollinear propagation of the fundamental input signal in the crystal. By slightly changing the angle of incidence of the seed beam, collinear and noncollinear phase matching can be achieved between different diffraction orders, in this way allowing the efficient generation of several second-harmonic beams.     

Nonlinear optical processes in domain structures of strontium tetraborate

The random quasi-phase-matching in irregular domain structures of strontium tetraborate has been investigated for nonlinear optical generation at 266 nm. The factor of increasing second-harmonic generation efficiency due to random quasi-phase-matching is determined. The spectral dependences of the second-harmonic generation are calculated. It is shown that its efficiency can be optimized at a fixed pump wavelength by rotating the domain structure.     

Enhancement of relativistic harmonic generation by an optically preformed periodic plasma waveguide

Enhancement of relativistic third-harmonic generation by using an optically preformed periodic plasma waveguide was achieved. Resonant dependence of harmonic intensity on plasma density and density modulation parameters was observed, which is a distinct characteristic of quasi-phase-matching. The results demonstrate the potential of a modulated plasma waveguide in high-field applications.     

Quantum-well intermixing for the control of second-order nonlinear effects in AlGaAs multiple-quantum-well waveguides

We present experimental evidence to demonstrate the feasibility of a promising new quasi-phase-matching technique in AlGaAs multiple-quantum-well waveguides. Non-phase-matched second-harmonic-generation measurements indicate that, for sub-half-bandgap excitation near 1.5 microm , quantum-well intermixing by impurity-free vacancy disordering results in a reduction of the nonlinear susceptibility chi((2))(zxy) (~340 pm/V) by 17%. Relatively low intermixed waveguide losses, and the high spatial resolution of the impurity-free vacancy disordering process, suggest that periodic intermixing along the direction of propagation should lead to useful frequency-conversion efficiencies.     

Quasi phase matching in GaAs--AlAs superlattice waveguides through bandgap tuning by use of quantum-well intermixing

We report the observation of second-harmonic generation by type I quasi phase matching in a GaAs-AlAs superlattice waveguide. Quasi phase matching was achieved through modulation of the nonlinear coefficient chi((2))(zxy), which we realized by periodically tuning the superlattice bandgap. Second-harmonic generation was demonstrated for fundamental wavelengths from 1480 to 1520 nm, from the third-order gratings with periods from 10.5 to 12.4microm . The second-harmonic signal spectra demonstrated narrowing owing to the finite bandwidth of the quasi-phase-matching grating. An average power of ~110 nW was obtained for the second harmonic by use of an average launched pump power of ?2.3mW .     

Conical second harmonic generation in a two-dimensional chi(2) photonic crystal: a hexagonally poled LiTaO3 crystal

A new type of conical second-harmonic generation was discovered in a 2D chi((2)) photonic crystal-a hexagonally poled LiTaO3 crystal. It reveals the presence of another type of nonlinear interaction-a scattering involved optical parametric generation in a nonlinear medium. Such a nonlinear interaction can be significantly enlarged in a modulated chi((2)) structure by a quasi-phase-matching process. The conical beam records the spatial distribution of the scattering signal and discloses the structure information and symmetry of the 2D chi((2)) photonic crystal.     

Fabrication of Periodic Waveguides Using Organic Crystals and Fluorinated Polyimides for Quasi-Phase-Matched Second-Harmonic Generation

We have developed a new method to fabricate periodic waveguide structures used for quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation, where nonlinear optical organic crystals and fluorinated copolyimides are alternately arranged. Quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation from an organic waveguide device has been demonstrated.     

Photonic EPR State from Quadratic Waveguide Array with Alternating Positive and Negative Couplings

We propose the generation of photonic EPR state from quadratic waveguide array. Both the propagation constant and the nonlinearity in the array are designed to possess a periodical modulation along the propagation direction.This ensures that the photon pairs can be generated efficiently through the quasi-phase-matching spontaneous parametric down conversion by holding the spatial EPR entanglement in the fashion of correlated position and anticorrelated momentum. The Schmidt number which denotes the degree of EPR entanglement is calculated and it can approach a high value when the number of illuminated waveguide channels and the length of the waveguide array are properly chosen. These results suggest the quadratic waveguide array as a compact platform for engineering photonic quantum states in a high-dimensional Hilbert space.     

Phase correction in double-pass quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation with a wedged crystal

Compensation for dispersive elements is necessary for efficient multiple-pass and intracavity nonlinear frequency-conversion devices. We describe the use of a wedged quasi-phase-matched crystal to compensate for the phase shifts introduced by mirrors in such devices, taking advantage of the periodic variation in the relative phases of the interacting waves in a quasi-phase-matching grating. A representative double-pass second-harmonic generation experiment with a 5-cm -long periodically poled lithium niobate crystal showed the expected conversion efficiency enhancement.     

Quasi-group-velocity matching using integrated-optic structures

We propose a device to compensate for group-velocity mismatch (GVM) effects that limit the efficiency-bandwidth product in nonlinear frequency-mixing devices. Integrated wavelength-dependent delay lines are introduced periodically in a waveguide containing a series of quasi-phase-matching (QPM) gratings. Appropriate choice of the time delays can compensate for GVM. We have demonstrated a two-stage device in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. Two approximately 150-fs-long pulses generated 6 ps apart by second-harmonic generation in two QPM gratings were resynchronized by a fixed delay line, and their relative phase was fine controlled by temperature tuning. This technique, which can be iterated to more than two segments, permits optical frequency mixers with a higher efficiency-bandwidth product than would be possible in a single grating short enough to avoid GVM effects.     

Propagation of second-harmonic wave in quasi-phase-matching nonlinear medium

We studied the propagation of the second-harmonic (SH) wave in a quasi-phase-matching (QPM) medium with a slanted nonlinear grating. By solving the electromagnetic boundary value problem for the SH wave, we derived the propagation law for the SH wave, which can be interpreted as a diffraction phenomenon. Such interpretation was supported by a series of SH generation experiments with a periodically-poled lithium niobate crystal with a slanted QPM grating.     

Self-splitting of beams into spatial solitons in planar waveguides made of quadratic nonlinear media

The propagation of intense light beams in planar optical waveguides made of quadratic nonlinear media under conditions for second-harmonic generation is investigated. It is shown numerically that under appropriate conditions, input light beams break up into several spatial solitons that separate from each other and exit the waveguide at different positions. This paper reports the results of a series of numerical experiments and analytical investigations that were performed to elucidate the dynamics of the self-splitting process and discusses the implications of the results to the implementation of an eigenvalue switching device. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Steering the propagation of photovoltaic solitons by spatial phase modulation

A simple scheme is presented to steer the propagation of a spatial photovoltaic soliton in a photovoltaic crystal. The basic idea is to impose a sinusoidal phase modulation on the light beam before entering the crystal. It is found that the self-deflection, soliton-like propagation, annihilation and splitting of this spatial-phase-modulated (SPM) beam can be realized by choosing appropriate modulation parameters; besides, a SPM beam can produce a waveguide with strong stability to steer a non-phase-modulated beam. These unique properties would have potential applications in the optical switch, splitter, modulator, and waveguide, etc.     

Compton散射下多信道平面光波导的空间光孤子开关

应用量子微扰理论和多光子非线性Compton散射模型,对Compton散射下多信道平面光波导的空间光孤子开关进行了研究.结果表明:在横向具有正弦形周期折射率调制的非线性平面光波导的多信道系统中,原先束缚在一个信道中的孤子可以靠由入射和散射光形成的耦合控制光点,通过交叉相位调制横向吸引孤子波束,使孤子从原信道切换到邻近信道,从而实现光孤子开关的功能.控制光点可由耦合光在势谷之间的横向聚焦来实现.散射既能使控制光点的有效强度的阈值和孤子的辐射损耗增大,势垒增高,幅度下降较小,有利于孤子开关的形成;又能使波束展宽较宽,并存在开关被破坏的危险.由此可见,Compton散射下恰当控制入射激光强度是实现孤子开关的关键.     

Cascaded waveguide phase-matching arrangement

We propose a new method of phase matching in nonlinear waveguides, using the higher-order waveguide mode as an intermediary for efficient second-harmonic or difference-frequency generation, and show that high conversion efficiencies can be achieved with this scheme.     

Second-harmonic generation from a first-order quasi-phase-matched GaAs/AlGaAs waveguide crystal

We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, the generation of second-harmonic pulses by use of a novel methodology for achieving first-order quasi-phase matching in a semiconductor waveguide crystal. This methodology is based on a periodic modulation of the susceptibility coefficient along the direction of light-beam propagation in which advantage is taken of the fact that chi((2))(GaAs)>chi((2))(Al(x)Ga(1-x)As) . Efficient second-harmonic generation at 975 nm of a pump wavelength of 1950 nm has been demonstrated for a crystal with a nonuniform domain dimension (duty cycle, ~39/61).     

Efficiency pedestal in quasi-phase-matching devices with random duty-cycle errors

It is shown that random duty-cycle errors in quasi-phase-matching (QPM) nonlinear optical devices enhance the efficiency of processes far from the QPM peak. An analytical theory is shown to agree well with numerical solutions of second-harmonic generation (SHG) in disordered QPM gratings. The measured efficiency of 1550?nm band SHG in a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide away from the QPM peak agrees with observations of domain disorder in a PPLN wafer by Zygo interferometry. If suppression of parasitic nonlinear interactions is important in a specific application of QPM devices, control of random duty-cycle errors is critical.     

Reflective-type configuration for nearly phase-matching cerenkov second-harmonic generation in a nonlinear-optical polymer waveguide

A new technique for achieving efficient Cerenkov-type second-harmonic generation (SHG) in a nonlinear-optical (NLO) polymer waveguide is presented. The configuration, which can prevent the losses of light caused by relatively long-distance propagation and the multiple reflections that appear in the conventional Cerenkov technique, exhibits ease of fabrication and compactness. We experimentally observed a conversion efficiency of 1.6% W(-1) cm(-1), which to our knowledge is the highest value reported for Cerenkov SHG in polymer, by tuning both the thickness and the refractive index of the polymer film close to phase matching between a guided fundamental wave and a guided harmonic wave. The experimental results agreed well with the theoretical prediction.     

Analytical Study on Propagation Dynamics of Optical Beam in Parity-Time Symmetric Optical Couplers

We present exact analytical solutions to parity-time(P T) symmetric optical system describing light transport in P T-symmetric optical couplers. We show that light intensity oscillates periodically between two waveguides for unbroken P T-symmetric phase, whereas light always leaves the system from the waveguide experiencing gain when light is initially input at either waveguide experiencing gain or waveguide experiencing loss for broken P T-symmetric phase. These analytical results agree with the recent experimental observation reported by Ru¨ter et al. [Nat. Phys.6(2010) 192]. Besides, we present a scheme for manipulating P T symmetry by applying a periodic modulation. Our results provide an efficient way to control light propagation in periodically modulated P T-symmetric system by tuning the modulation amplitude and frequency.     

Classical analogues to quantum nonlinear coherent states in photonic lattices

We show that light evolution occurring in waveguide arrays with a particular n-functional square root dependence of coupling coefficients can be used to produce classical analogues of nonlinear quantum coherent states. Using operator algebras we obtain closed-form expressions describing the optical field dynamics in such structures. In addition, by numerically monitoring the Mandel's parameter, we obtain the conditions necessary to generate sub-Poissonian and super-Poissonian classical intensity distributions in the proposed photonic lattices.